Are you frequently awakened by rough echoes and racket in the dead of night? If you nodded in agreement, your home might be in dire need of soundproofing or the process of minimizing noise pollution indoors.

Aside from having a peaceful retreat, a noise-insulated space can deliver many health benefits including stress reduction, improved cardiovascular activity and lessened insomnia attacks. To help you out, here are some techniques and materials you can do or use in attaining a quieter sanctuary:

Marble and other shiny, natural stone finishes have a tendency to bounce sound louder than other flat materials. Avoid using these in private spaces and opt for ceramic, homogenous tiles instead. You can also add area rugs in the bedroom to further minimize noise.

2. Create a buffer zone

When you increase the distance between the sound source and the receiver, you’re able to cut volume by almost half. Position bedrooms and spaces made for rest in the part of the house farthest from entertaining areas and place an anteroom in between to catch the first wave of noise.

If you have a poorly designed entertainment system, it may create a lot of unnecessary household noise. Make sure to invest in a good home theatre set and subwoofer isolation pads to balance the base tones that come out of the speakers.

4. Stagger doorways

Stagger the location of doorways so they are not directly across each other. This will keep sound from being transferred through open doors and travelling across hallways. It’s also best to avoid hollow materials such as plywood to keep the noise from reverberating across the entire house.

5. Install a second fence

If the noise is coming from outside, try putting up a high, secondary fence that will help break sounds coming from the street before it enters your home.